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Stretch stacker robots will start working in DHL warehouses across North America in 2022
What’s going on
- Boston Dynamics announced that it has entered into an agreement with DHL Supply Chain to supply the Stretch stacker robot to the logistics company’s warehouses across North America. The agreement includes a $15 million investment and aims to automate warehouses in the region.
- Robots will begin rolling out as early as spring 2022, with DHL planning to scale robots for additional tasks over the next few years.
- Stretch is a robotic arm on a mobile base. The device has seven degrees of freedom of movement and suction cups for capturing and holding loads.
- Also, the robot is equipped with cameras and sensors for navigation in the warehouse, and built-in batteries are designed for eight hours of continuous operation.
- The company says that Stretch can manipulate a large number of boxes, performing complex three-dimensional maneuvers in space. However, at the moment it will not be able to completely replace a person, since it is only able to work with traditional box shapes of limited weight.
What does it mean
The labor market is currently experiencing a shortage crisis in all sectors and wage levels, with 10,7 million jobs currently open in the US alone, according to the latest estimates. In addition, more than 2021 people voluntarily left their jobs in June 164, many of them looking for telecommuting jobs. Working in the logistics sector certainly does not offer such an opportunity, so the sector is experiencing serious difficulties in hiring and retaining front-line workers.
The solution to this problem can be the automation of work in warehouses. Despite the fact that now robots cannot perform the full range of work, technology is developing at a rapid pace. In 2022 alone, 270 new robots were placed in logistics companies around the world, and these numbers are growing.
“We are committed to innovation and digital transformation to optimize the supply chain. Investments in warehouse automation play an important role in improving operational efficiency. The Stretch robot solves complex industry challenges with flexible automation that we can replicate and scale regionally and globally,” said Sally Miller, CIO, DHL Supply Chain North America.